The Lions won nine games last season, made the playoffs and their rookie class was promising.

But recently the website profootballfocus.com rated the Lionsí talent 28th among the NFLís 32 teams. It included their offensive line ranked 24th.

It seems like reaction to Taylor Decker, the Lionsí left offensive tackle, possibly missing the entire season. Decker suffered a torn labrum during the Lionsí OTAs. There is a chance Decker will be able to play in 2017, but certainly not at the beginning of the season. It seems unlikely he will be as effective as anticipated before the injury. Decker played every offensive snap for the Lions in 2016 as a rookie. He was expected to continue a rapid rise to a spot among the best at his position before the setback.

However, the Lions did invest substantially in the offensive line. Right tackle Rick Wagner and guard T.J. Lang were lauded as upgrades from the departed free agents they are replacing, Riley Reiff and Larry Warford. Both are expensive, representing nearly $38 million in guaranteed salary.

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There is also the matter of year-to-year improvement across the board from the Lionsí 2016 NFL Draft class. Decker is really good, but he wasnít the only member of his class to flash potential. Defensive tackle AíShawn Robinson, the second round selection, has similar upside. Fourth-round pick Miles Killebrew, a safety, looks like a mid-round steal.

Overall, the Lionsí talent level appears to be better after being restructured by general manager Bob Quinn.

As badly as the Lions figure to miss Decker, the return to full health of other players could more than make up for it.

Even with Decker, the Lions did not run the ball effectively. It wasnít only because of an ineffective offensive line, but Detroitís mix at running back. Itís difficult to calculate how much different 2016 would have turned out if running back Ameer Abdullah had not been injured during the second game. He was off to an outstanding start.

As much as the Lions were hindered by a lack of running game, their inability to get off the field on third down defensively was noticeable late in the regular season and during the playoff loss at Seattle.

Defensive end Ziggy Ansah, who was selected to the Pro Bowl after ranking third in the NFL with 14.5 sacks during 2015, was hindered mightily in Ď16 by ankle and shoulder injuries. He didnít have a sack until the 13th game, and only two for the year.

The Lions won nine games. Only 12 teams reach the postseason. They were among the dozen. The Lions have more young talent, which figures to improve, than declining players.

Also, the Lions have an established quarterback, Matthew Stafford, who has yet to reach 30 coming off, in some regard, his best season.

It doesnít suggest the Lions will win the Super Bowl. Itís iffy whether they even make the playoffs.